Top Financial AI Tools For 2025
July 9, 2025
Founder (CEO)
July 9, 2025
AI is rapidly becoming an everyday part of our lives, helping us with everything from researching a topic to planning a holiday. While AI is no substitute for a real expert like a Certified Financial Planner, it can help us with recommendations, questions and other financial activities. In addition, it can be used to support the activities of a financial planner through data analysis and quick financial snapshots.
With all this in mind, we wanted to dive into some of the emerging AI financial tools out there, and weigh them up to see how effective they really are. So, we conducted a hands‑on review and comparative analysis of leading consumer‑facing AI finance platforms.
We evaluated each tool on the following core criteria:
From our initial findings: AI in finance is no longer optional—it’s ubiquitous, powerful, and rapidly evolving. In fact, AI-driven personal finance tools are projected to grow from US $1.48 billion in 2024 to $1.63 billion in 2025, with AI adoption in banking expected to reach 85 % by 2025. Meanwhile, major banks like JPMorgan, Citi, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley are embedding generative AI across operations—from wealth advisor support to fraud detection—demonstrating AI’s transformative reach.
Our thinking goes that if it’s good enough for the banks, then it’s good enough for us, which is ElektraFi was one of the original adopters of AI financial guidance tools. A few other platforms have recently caught our attention, so we wanted to highlight the ones that we think are utilizing AI for good.
As an early pioneer in personal finance AI, the ElektraFi platform has grown into a powerhouse of AI innovation. At the centre of our AI suite is Elektra, a custom financial assistant trained on proprietary information. Elektra has access to your financial data, in accordance with our protection and privacy protocols, to provide users with accurate and unbiased guidance based on real-time account information.
In addition to Elektra, our platform also houses agentic AI features, including unprompted recommendations and actions. This means that our AI is always monitoring your account data in order to find opportunities that can level-up your financial life.
Whether it's identifying a smarter way to manage cash flow, flagging unusual spending patterns, or surfacing a better savings strategy, our AI agents act as proactive financial partners. They're built to think ahead, offering real-time guidance and automated support, so you’re not just reacting to your finances, you’re staying one step ahead.
These AI features can be used to support our real Certified Financial Planners, who can then make even better recommendations and be much more reactive than if they didn’t have Elektra helping them out. Remember, AI can do wonders for helping you with your finances, but it is still no substitute for professional financial guidance. Together, AI and human expertise create a powerful combination designed to help you make smarter, more confident financial decisions.
If ElektraFi is your sharp financial strategist, Cleo is the charismatic coach who keeps you accountable (and entertained). Built as an AI-powered chatbot designed for a younger, mobile-first audience, Cleo takes a radically different approach: making financial conversations casual, even fun.
At its core, Cleo is built on a robust natural language AI engine that can understand user behavior, spending habits, and emotional tone. Whether you're checking how much you spent on food last week, asking for help sticking to a savings goal, or just need a reality check on whether you can afford that late-night UberEats splurge, Cleo responds with personality, sass, and smart insights.
Beyond banter, Cleo houses some nice tools that can help you to keep your money on track, including a budgeting suite and automated savings that also come with a high interest savings account. Cleo’s AI is always watching your money move - flagging overspending, recommending adjustments, and cheering on your progress.
What makes Cleo stand out is its real-world relatability. The interface feels less like a financial dashboard and more like texting a friend who happens to be great with money. It lowers the psychological barrier to budgeting, especially for those who’ve historically avoided spreadsheets or financial jargon.
That said, it’s not without limits. Cleo is less focused on long-term planning or investment strategy, and some features are limited when compared to other offerings. But as an AI companion designed to build better habits, it excels.
If you're tired of scrolling through endless lists of ETFs and mutual funds without really knowing what any of them mean, Magnifi is the AI investing tool you’ve been waiting for. Think of it as a search engine for personal investing - one that actually understands what you're asking.
Built on generative AI technology, Magnifi lets you ask plain-language questions like “What are some low-risk dividend ETFs?” or “How can I diversify my tech-heavy portfolio?” The platform translates those queries into structured investment data, surfacing funds, insights, and side-by-side comparisons, without the jargon.
Magnifi’s strength lies in contextual investing help. Unlike robo-advisors that automatically manage your portfolio, Magnifi keeps you in control while making you much smarter. It explains why a certain fund might be a good fit, flags fees or risk levels, and even allows you to build sample portfolios directly in the app. If you’re looking to become a more informed investor without feeling overwhelmed, this is the tool for you.
The AI engine is particularly helpful for newer investors who want education alongside action. Instead of generic lists, you get personalized suggestions that evolve as you refine your search. It’s also constantly learning - drawing from both public market data and its own user feedback to improve recommendations over time.
Magnifi doesn’t yet offer full portfolio management or tax optimization like some platforms, and some advanced features are only available through their premium tier. But for investment discovery, clarity, and confidence, it delivers serious value.
When it comes to understanding your full financial picture - across accounts, asset classes, and risk factors - PortfolioPilot brings serious analytical firepower to the table. Powered by a proprietary AI engine plus GPT-like chat, PortfolioPilot is like having an institutional-grade investment advisor… without the six-figure fees.
What sets it apart is its AI-driven portfolio analysis. Once you connect your investment accounts (supports over 12,000 financial institutions), the platform scans your holdings and instantly provides insights on diversification, risk exposure, tax inefficiencies, and how your portfolio would fare in different economic scenarios. The AI makes recommendations and explains the reasoning behind each one, helping you become a more informed self-directed investor.
It also has some other nice features within the platform, like estate planning and tax optimization, which really adds to the overall experience of the product. While it doesn’t replace a human advisor for investment planning, PortfolioPilot gets impressively close. Many users find it uncovers issues they weren’t even aware of, like sector overexposure, cash drag, or hidden fees. It’s a powerful tool, especially for those managing sizable portfolios or nearing retirement.
The tool is slightly pricier than some of the other tools we’ve looked at, however Portfolio Pilot seems to be aimed at individuals that have already built up some level of financial assets, so the higher price point should be an issue.
The rise of AI in personal finance isn’t hype, it’s a full-blown transformation. From budgeting and saving to investing and portfolio management, tools like ElektraFi, Cleo, Magnifi, and PortfolioPilot prove that intelligent financial support is now accessible, affordable, and impressively effective.
In 2025, managing your money isn’t just about spreadsheets and good intentions - it’s about having AI in your corner. The tools are here. The insights are real. And the edge is yours to take. Start with ElektraFi, check out the rest, and turn your financial goals into your financial reality.
With the right approach, startups and small teams can still stand out, being innovators in delivering the right culture and maintaining and recruiting top teams. Budget isn’t the constraint - but rather our imaginations and the array of partners you choose to help you take that next step.
Check out our detailed breakdown of the best financial tools Canadians can use to take control of their money this year, as selected by our personal finance experts. From budgeting apps that track every dollar to smart platforms that help you plan, save, and spend with confidence, this guide has everything you need to start the year financially strong.
